Germany business setup summary

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Benefits and problems

Benefits of Germany company registration

Germany is the economic heart of the EU. This economic success is largely due to the ‘Mittlestand’ (SMEs), which form the backbone of the German economy. Some of the key factors behind the success of small and medium businesses in Germany are:

Government support

Low-interest business loans are available for SMEs at both federal (maximum value €10m) and state level (value between €50,000 and 10m);

To reduce pressure on businesses, the Government provides i) recruitment and training support and ii) wage subsidies to entrepreneurs who register a company in Germany;

Grants are provided by the states through the GRW Scheme to cover either a firm’s investment costs or two years of wage costs. Approximately 95% of firms receiving these grants are German LLCs;

IZ scheme provides monetary aid for investment in East Germany; this program can be combined with the GRW scheme to get cost coverage up to 50% for small firms and 40% for medium-sized enterprises;

For selected SMEs, the KfW Development Bank provides loans, private equity and mezzanine financing. In 2012, the total loaned and invested by the bank was €24.1 billion;

Government banks act as public guarantors to provide deficiency guarantees for up to 80% of loan amounts for expenses related to initial investments in Germany;

Imported goods may be stored in the German free ports of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Deggendorf and Duisburg without incurring any duties;

Lastly, Germany is a metropolitan country which is highly accepting of foreign workers. People with religious convictions are offered protection under the law and won’t have to forsake their traditional roots;

Germany has a complex series of incorporation procedures. This makes the country rank 113th in the world for Ease of Starting a Business by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2017. Also, it is not easy to procure credit for your business in Germany.

Best uses for a Germany company

Preferred Euro Base

Germany is the EU’s most populous country and has a high per capita income (US$ 44,500). Consequently, a foreign-owned company in Germany will benefit from the massive consumer demand for foreign goods/services in the country;

Registering a business in Germany is the top choice for product distribution within EU because the country has the world’s highest rated infrastructure. High quality airports, roads, railways and ports facilitate easy transfer of goods to, from and within Germany;

Germany has EU’s most skilled labor with i) the largest labor force in Europe ii) a 99% literacy rate iii) a 99% computer literacy rate iv) 80% having formal job training v) the third highest weekly employee work hours in the EU and vi) the population with the most degrees in the EU;

Germany’s EU membership offers resident firms i) duty free trade of goods/services with other European countries ii) free movement of labor and capital within the EU iii) no withholding tax on payments made to other EU countries and iv) access to an integrated European consumer base of 500 million;

Starting a German company can be done without special licenses, except in a few highly specialized fields like insurance, medicine etc.;

The country hosts the world’s biggest trade shows including MEDICA and the Hannover Fair. Registering a German company will enable our Clients to tap into a market of 10 million attending customers annually;

“Made in Germany” is a globally renowned and trusted mark of origin; foreign entrepreneurs’ brands will benefit greatly from starting a manufacturing business in Germany.

To help us engineer the optimum Germany corporate structure, please complete the 3-minute questionnaire below; then press the submit button below.

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Company purpose?

Will the LLC be a trading company or a holding company?Will the entity be a subsidiary of a foreign company?The LLC will be tax resident? Having local customers and local staff and local suppliers?The entity will receive investment income or professional services fees or sales from trading with multi-national customers?Is double taxation treaty access important?Do you need our help to legally minimize your international tax obligations?Do you need our help to increase e-commerce sales (click link)?

Company structure?

Will the shareholders be individuals or corporate?In what country do you require a corporate bank account? Refer to this web page (click link) for ideasDo you need multi-currency corporate visa debit cards?Do you need a resident director?Nationality of shareholders and directors?Expected annual sales and net profits?Does the entity need a special regulatory license or import or export license?Additional comments?

Tell us about your existing business?

Name of your existing company?Your business web site address?What products and services does your company supply?How many years are you operating this business?Is your Firm regulated by a Government agency?In what country are the majority of your customers?In what country are the majority of your suppliers?

Tell us about you?

Your name?Your email address?What country are you based in?Specifically, what deliverables (click link) do you need?What is your US$ budget for the services you need?What does quality customer service mean to you?

How do we contact you?

For now, do you prefer Healy Consultants PLC staff to phone you, or just email reply you with some corporate solutions?If a phone call, on what number can our senior Consultant call you?If an email, what email address can our Consultant email you at?What is your preferred date and time for a phone call?In what language do you prefer we communicate with you?What matters would you like to discuss during the call; the agenda?

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Contact us

Testimonial

“Pirster Pte is happy with the work that Healy Consultants undertook for the company. International incorporation can be fraught with opacity, anxiety and vulnerability - especially if it is being done remotely as we did. Healy Consultants worked really hard to make it transparent, straight forward and confidence-inspiring. I look forward to working with Healey Consultants again on future work and happily recommend them to others.”

Fiona Thompson, Managing Director Pirster Pte.

“We had taken Healy Consultants assistance in incorporating our entities in some of the complicated jurisdictions. Their approach right from the beginning has been very systematic, clear and efficient. It has been a pleasure to work with all of them.”

“Thank you Healy Consultants for swiftly project managing my engagement. From the moment I met you in Singapore Healy Consultants attended to my requirements and specific needs. I am more than satisfied with your service. Moreover, your weekly updates allowed me to continue to focus my attention on my global business while trusting you to deliver as promised.”

“Thank you Healy Consultants, you were instrumental in setting up of my Hong Kong based company, the whole process was completed in a professional and timely manner.”

Terry Skews, CEO Brittany Offshore Limited

“Healy Consultants, a professionally managed firm with clear understanding and knowledge about what client expects from them and delivers the same in a professional and timely manner. Kudos to their team.”

“Incorporating any company is comparable to setting the foundation blocks of your new company building, which you aim to build in the best location available. By choosing Healy Consultants you are laying the perfect foundations.”

“The one word that defines Healy Consultants is perfect professionalism. If you have Healy to set up your business abroad, you could focus on the operational overhead and let Healy take care of the rest. From Incorporation to Taxation, it’s a one stop solution. Rest assured, you will have the best people in the Industry working for you and providing you with the best possible information and suggestions.”

Raja Chakraborty, Director Streamlyn Pte. Ltd.

“Thank you Healy Consultants for successfully project managing our business set up in Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and Bahrain.”

“When it was time to establish a Space Academy in Singapore, TriVector needed a knowledgeable firm that could not only help us establish our infrastructure, but could also advise on the local and regional business climate. Healy was that firm, which is why we've been satisfied Healy Consultants for almost five years now.”

“Healy Consultants were instrumental in the set up of our company. They have continued to provide exceptional support and advice over the years.”

Susan Gunnery, Managing Director Qudoss Group

“Healy Consultants is the best firm that we have ever worked with. Through our entire business relationship we were satisfied with provided level of quality and services. Healy Consultants have been responsive and detail oriented which has allowed us to stay focused on our business and not getting distracted with small details.”

Testimonial

“Pirster Pte is happy with the work that Healy Consultants undertook for the company. International incorporation can be fraught with opacity, anxiety and vulnerability - especially if it is being done remotely as we did. Healy Consultants worked really hard to make it transparent, straight forward and confidence-inspiring. I look forward to working with Healey Consultants again on future work and happily recommend them to others.”

Fiona Thompson, Managing Director Pirster Pte.

“We had taken Healy Consultants assistance in incorporating our entities in some of the complicated jurisdictions. Their approach right from the beginning has been very systematic, clear and efficient. It has been a pleasure to work with all of them.”

“Thank you Healy Consultants for swiftly project managing my engagement. From the moment I met you in Singapore Healy Consultants attended to my requirements and specific needs. I am more than satisfied with your service. Moreover, your weekly updates allowed me to continue to focus my attention on my global business while trusting you to deliver as promised.”

“Thank you Healy Consultants, you were instrumental in setting up of my Hong Kong based company, the whole process was completed in a professional and timely manner.”

Terry Skews, CEO Brittany Offshore Limited

“Healy Consultants, a professionally managed firm with clear understanding and knowledge about what client expects from them and delivers the same in a professional and timely manner. Kudos to their team.”

“Incorporating any company is comparable to setting the foundation blocks of your new company building, which you aim to build in the best location available. By choosing Healy Consultants you are laying the perfect foundations.”

“The one word that defines Healy Consultants is perfect professionalism. If you have Healy to set up your business abroad, you could focus on the operational overhead and let Healy take care of the rest. From Incorporation to Taxation, it’s a one stop solution. Rest assured, you will have the best people in the Industry working for you and providing you with the best possible information and suggestions.”

Raja Chakraborty, Director Streamlyn Pte. Ltd.

“Thank you Healy Consultants for successfully project managing our business set up in Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and Bahrain.”

“When it was time to establish a Space Academy in Singapore, TriVector needed a knowledgeable firm that could not only help us establish our infrastructure, but could also advise on the local and regional business climate. Healy was that firm, which is why we've been satisfied Healy Consultants for almost five years now.”

“Healy Consultants were instrumental in the set up of our company. They have continued to provide exceptional support and advice over the years.”

Susan Gunnery, Managing Director Qudoss Group

“Healy Consultants is the best firm that we have ever worked with. Through our entire business relationship we were satisfied with provided level of quality and services. Healy Consultants have been responsive and detail oriented which has allowed us to stay focused on our business and not getting distracted with small details.”

“Not only did Healy Consultants have expert knowledge of local requirements, they also understood my needs as a foreigner, which is something lacking with the Singaporean consulting firms I spoke to. They drove the process from start to completion. I’m more than satisfied with the service.”